Microsoft Security Essentials and Spybot

[dleung]

I have installed Microsoft Security Essentials 2.0.657.0 (which provides real time protection against viruses and spywares) after reinstalling my computer recently.

I want to install Spybot S&D and McAfee Firewall as well, would there be any conflict?

Thanks.

[tashi]

Hello dleung,

I have installed Microsoft Security Essentials 2.0.657.0 (which provides real time protection against viruses and spywares) after reinstalling my computer recently.

I want to install Spybot S&D and McAfee Firewall as well, would there be any conflict?

Rule of thumb is one firewall/one anti virus program resident to avoid conflicts, loss of program efficiency and system lock up due to both software products attempting to access the same file at the same time.

If you install a third party firewall you will need to disable the Windows resident firewall. What is your operating system?

Personally I haven't encountered any issues running Microsoft Security Essentials with Spybot-S&D also installed.

A search of the forum shows these topics of interest,

http://forums.spybot.info/showthread.php?t=56516

http://forums.spybot.info/showthread.php?p=371783

http://forums.spybot.info/showthread.php?t=52627

Hope that helps.

[dleung]

Thanks tashi for your reply.

I have Windows XP running on Dell Optiplex 745.

I used to have the following security programs installed on my computer.
1) McAfee AntiVirus
2) McAfee Firewall
3) Spybot S&D with Teatimer
4) SpywareGuard
5) SpywareBlaster
6) MBAM
7) SuperAntispyware

Because my computer was infected with spywares recently, so I have my friend to reinstall Windows XP, but he installed MSE for me as well.

My question: Would there be any conflict if I want to install all of the above 7 programs with MSE already installed?

Thanks.

[tashi]

Hi dleung,

1) McAfee AntiVirus
2) McAfee Firewall

An anti virus is part of Microsoft Security Essentials.

Rule of thumb is one firewall/one anti virus program resident to avoid conflicts, loss of program efficiency and system lock up due to both software products attempting to access the same file at the same time.

If you keep MSE you shouldn't install McAfee's AntiVirus or vice versa. If you install the McAfee Firewall disable the XP firewall.

More on the XP firewall here: So how did I get infected in the first place?

3) Spybot S&D with Teatimer
4) SpywareGuard
5) SpywareBlaster
6) MBAM
7) SuperAntispyware

It's been awhile but as I recall SpywareGuard was quirky about other resident protection.

How Spybot-S&D protects against the installation of Spyware/Malware.

Best regards.